Queensland Reds 2026

[Major Tom]

See this is the confusing part that goes in roundabouts here.

We argue they don't play enough top level footy and then playing too early is used as a reason for sub par play at times. I just think we don't produce good enough playmakers. Finn Smith, Marcus Smith both 18 when they debut and now are well ahead of the curve because of the amount of games they have under their belt. Yes, better players in their position than anyone we have.

I don’t know what the Premiership is like. But to rack up that many pro games that quickly is petty crazy. Even if most were off bench. Immediately it makes me think they’ve been pretty lucky injury wise. And I wonder how they would go in super rugby getting belted by the kiwis every 2nd week? Seems to me that these two playmakers are outliers. I’m all for if you’re good enough you’re old enough but history will tell you it just won’t work throwing them into super rugby. Kiwis don’t even do this. Admittedly they do have another tier to bridge the gap.
For Mackay this is pretty awesome learning experience. Despite how he performs, he’s going back to play for Souths in HC next year and he’s not playing super rugby unless the reds suffer an even worse injury curse than this year.

 

[Major Tom]

Bryant and Werchon both starting for Benetton vs Edinburgh, unsure about Asiata

Benetton pumped 43 - 0. Need all the help they can get from us.

 

[Adam84]

Is Reds ve Panasonic today going to be streamed ?

edit: won’t be live streamed

 

[Wilson]

Is Reds ve Panasonic today going to be streamed ?

It doesn't seem like it. This first up game has usually been closed doors I think, but it's a bit different this year with them selling tickets and running a full day out in Toowoomba, so it's probably still a possibility that it pops up on their youtube channel. I wouldn't hold my breath though. Probably doesn't help that it's around about the same time as Aus A.

 

[Wilson]

Confirmed that the game will not be streamed:

 

[Daveyyyyy]

Confirmed that the game will not be streamed:
View attachment 23511

Pathetic

 

[Wilson]

Pathetic

It's a trial/training game the week before the main event. It's only obvious that there's something on here because they're putting on fan events in Toowoomba. In a perfect world it'd be streamed but it's hardly a big deal that it isn't. Past years this game has been behind closed doors.

 

[LeCheese]

Pathetic

The Reds have historically been great at getting a stream together for out-of-season games - they have highlighted that as this is a (uncapped) 'warm-up' match it will not be live streamed, as has historically been the case.

 

[Wilson]

31-0 to the Reds at halftime

 

[Red Runner]

31-0 to the Reds at halftime

Finn Mackay with at least three try assists. dominant scrum. Tries to Martens, Pakeho, Rubens and I think two to Murray at least.

 

[Red Runner]

From the Reds

FT | A win for Reds. Hat-tricks to Heremaia Murray + Xavier Rubens. Fine, composed showing from teen 10 Finn Mackay for 80min.

 

[Major Tom]

From the Reds

FT | A win for Reds. Hat-tricks to Heremaia Murray + Xavier Rubens. Fine, composed showing from teen 10 Finn Mackay for 80min.

Score?

 

[TSR]

How did Martens go?

 

[Wilson]

Score?

59-19

 

[Reds Rick]

Can only assume they’re getting Mackay on a flight to Japan tonight?

 

[Major Tom]

Thought the 2nd game was at ballymore?

 

[Red Runner]

It is.

 

[TSR]

Can only assume they’re getting Mackay on a flight to Japan tonight?

Well - I’m certainly confused any he hasn’t been given and opportunity. He’s definitely played better than Edmed this year!!!

 

[TSR]

On a separate note - wasn’t Bloomfield a LHP as a junior, or am I recalling wrong. Even if I am I would have thought the Reds would be trying to push one of Bloomfield or King that way. We have 4 promising THPs. Nonggorr is already a test prop, De Lutiis is well on his way. Things can change quickly so I certainly don’t want the Reds to get complacent - but it seems to me there is potential benefit for both the Reds and the players for one of the younger props to change sides. I know Uys is coming but he is still a while away yet.

 

[Wilson]

On a separate note - wasn’t Bloomfield a LHP as a junior, or am I recalling wrong. Even if I am I would have thought the Reds would be trying to push one of Bloomfield or King that way. We have 4 promising THPs. Nonggorr is already a test prop, De Lutiis is well on his way. Things can change quickly so I certainly don’t want the Reds to get complacent - but it seems to me there is potential benefit for both the Reds and the players for one of the younger props to change sides. I know Uys is coming but he is still a while away yet.

I think they have played with it a bit in training but with Uys coming through I don't think they want to force it and risk losing one of them just yet. I expect one will make the shift eventually, but right now it's probably more about getting them a footing at this level and then managing the change of side through the club season. Also for all the (justified) talk of Uys, there's Tito Hamala coming through at the same time, who looks very promising and plays in a 1st XV front row with Slater and Rauluni. There's every chance they're pretty keen to bring that Nudgee front row through all together.

The real missing link right now is a solid, reliable, late 20s guy to round out the senior squad while the young talent comes through. It's not too big a deal if Hodgman is okay to continue playing, but assuming he's not then they'll probably need to bring someone in, regardless of whether or not King/Bloomfield can take to loosehead - neither could be ready in time. Maybe Blake will come good and it won't be so much of an issue, but I remain very unconvinced.